By Simon Hirst: Much to the annoyance of many boxing fans, when a bad decision is made by judges or a boxer fails a drugs test, critics are quick to jump out and declare boxing dead. Most these critics don’t follow boxing, understand the noble art and perhaps on a grassroots level, boxing’s role in society. One bad decision stinks, makes us feel rubbish but it certainly doesn’t declare boxing dead. In the long term, it creates drama.

We have seen some bad decisions where boxers have been on the wrong end of a decision, but lets be honest, the losing boxer is only punished on record. Most the time, they will be rewarded with opportunity. Look at Derek Chisora. Expected to lose to Robert Helenius, most felt Chisora won the fight and he was rewarded with a world title fight. Most felt Matthew Macklin beat Felix Sturm and he was rewarded with a shot at pound for pound king Sergio Martinez.

This is not that I need to justify boxing being supposedly dead. If boxing was dead, we would not be seeing high viewing figures on Sky for fights people want to see. We would not see high numbers being done on HBO and Showtime for big fighters. We would not see two boxers being number 1 and 2 in the list of best paid sports stars. Evidence suggests boxing is on an upward curve at the moment.

In fact, boxing has an excellent short term future. Look at some of the big fights being made that will do very good figures and most importantly are fights that fans want to see.

Andre Ward vs Chad Dawson

This is an excellent fight as it pits two in form fighters against each other. Andre Ward has looked impressive if unspectacular in everyone he has fought, whilst Dawson is tough, rough and ready to fight. The surprise element of it being made is also a bonus as both fighters fight in different divisions. Ward should start favourite but Dawson will give as well as he gets and is most definitely the biggest challenge Ward will have faced.

Amir Khan vs Danny Garcia

Not a fight that most would top most peoples list as fight they wish to see but lets look at it. We have a young, teak tough Danny Garcia who may not be the most skilful but has all the attributes to be a formidable force in the light-welterweight division against the ultra quick, talented Amir Khan. It is so hard to know how this fight will draw out, but it is certainly a fight of the year candidate on paper. The rivalry that has built up between the pair has certainly added to the match up, oh and did I mention two world titles are on the line?

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr vs Sergio Martinez

This fight is the perfect example of how the Pacquiao-Mayweather should of played out as the fight is happening at the perfect time. One year ago, Chavez Jr would have been written off as a no hoper in this fight. The fight was still huge, but Chavez Jr has improved so much, has a style of boxing that falls easy on the eye with little defence and big attack. Martinez has shown he is either not as good as we all think with closer than expected wins over Macklin and Barker, or he lacks motivation for small fights. This is not a small fight and we should see the best Martinez. Is Chavez Jr too big? Will Martinez hurt him? If not, will he outbox him all night? Can he take what Chavez Jr lands? Will Chavez Jr be able to finish Martinez like he has with others given the chance?

Tavoris Cloud vs Jean Pascal

This is an exciting fight with both fighters liking to throw big bombs. Pascal has proven his mettle in a loss to Froch, being the only man to defeat highly rated Chad Dawson. Cloud, despite looking less than impressive in his last fight and arguably was gifted a decision has looked very good in bouts and looked like joining the elite of the division. Both men have much to prove and this promises to be a cracker.

These fights demonstrate an exciting future in our sport, with others being made all year round. We have already been treated to some crackers this year including Bute-Froch, Salido stopping Lopez again and Povetkin and Huck going to war. Here are a few others I would like to see made to top of a good year for boxing.

Lucas Matthysse vs Marcos Maidana

This bout has been rumoured to happen, although fresh reports suggesting Matthysse will fight Ajose Olusegun in a WBC title eliminator. Both are naturally come forward, big punching light welterweights. Both are Argentinian. Both are proud warriors. Neither is a great boxer. They are almost identical in their style. The question is, who is better?

Carl Froch vs Mikkel Kessler II

The first bout was a throw back to the good old days with both men believing they are the better man. Neither man would back down or take a back step as they threw bombs in abundance for all twelve rounds in a classic war. Kessler got the close win, but the fight was so good the first time, it would be a tragic for a rematch not to happen. Once again, Froch would carry a belt into the battle. I predict a more strategic approach from both fighters, but when the going gets tough, I think it would reproduce the old magic of the first.

Nonito Donaire vs Guillermo Rigondeaux

This fight is one that is become a must for the hardcore boxing fan. Rigondeaux is an amateur legend, has a beautiful style of boxing when he is in full flow as demonstrated by a rated, but outclassed Teon Kennedy. Donaire has proven his worth, is a pound for pound star, but the question is does Donaire dare risk what he deems a fighter who is unproven and would perhaps gain little from beating. I think Donaire would get more credit than he thinks in defeating Rigondeaux. Both are excellent in their division and this fight should happen.

Other fights:

David Price vs Tyson Fury

Orlando Salido vs Yuriorkis Gamboa

Miguel Vazquez vs Adrien Broner

Marco Huck vs Denis Lebedev II

Chris Arreola vs Seth Mitchell

James DeGale vs George Groves II

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